Top Assad officer faces war crimes charge by Swedish court

syria

Former brigadier general Mohammed Hamo stands as the highest-ranking Syrian military official to face trial in Europe, according to Asharq al-Awsat and agencies on April 16.

At 65, Hamo appeared before a Stockholm court, facing allegations of “aiding and abetting” war crimes during Syria’s bloody civil war.

A conviction could result in imprisonment for Hamo, with the trial expected to carry on until late May.

The prosecution, led by Karolina Wieslander, stated to the Swedish court that, through giving “advice and action” Hamo had contributed to the Syrian army’s military campaign which had “systematically included attacks carried out in violation of the principles of distinction, caution and proportionality.”

Hamo, as brigadier general and leader of an armament division, was reportedly responsible for the coordination and provision of arms to units.

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The charges cover January 1 to July 20, 2012.

Wieslander accused the Syrian army of conducting “widespread air and ground attacks”, which she claims were executed on a scale that far exceeded any justified military objectives.

However, Hamo’s lawyer, Mari Kilman refuted the charges.

“In any case he has not had the intent towards the main charge, but indiscriminate warfare would be carried out by others,” said Kilman.

Kilman further denied Hamo’s liability, stating he “acted in a military context and had to follow orders”.

The case will feature testimonies from numerous plaintiffs, including Syrians from cities suffering bombardment by the Syrian Army, and a British photographer who sustained injuries in a strike, are scheduled to testify against Hamo.

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The Syrian Army has been widely criticised by human rights groups for operating with “complete impunity”.

“The attacks in and around Homs and Hama in 2012 resulted in widespread civilian harm and an immense destruction of civilian properties” said Aida Samani, senior legal advisor at rights group, Civil Rights Defenders.

According to Samani the Syrian Army’s bombardment of Homs and Hama was not an aberration, but a continuation of a systemic destruction in numerous cities across Syria.

She expressed hope that the ground-breaking nature of this trial, as the first to address indiscriminate attacks perpetrated by the Syrian army, represents “the first opportunity for victims of the attacks to have their voices heard in an independent court”.

Meanwhile, Hamo’s trial comes amidst other European countries attempting to charge other senior Syrian officials.

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The uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Rifaat al-Assad, was charged in March by Swiss prosecutors of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

However, Rifaat al-Assad returned to Syria following nearly four decades in exile. It remains incredibly unlikely he will return to Europe for a trial.

READ: Swiss court charges former Syria VP with war crimes

France also implemented an international arrest warrant for President Assad in November 2023, accusing him of war crimes regarding the chemical attacks used by the Syrian government in 2013. In addition to the president, arrest warrants were also issued for his brother, Maher, and two generals.

 

Asharq al-Awsat / Agencies

 

 

 

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